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India rejects comments of UN Experts on Manipur, calling them unwarranted, presumptive and misleading. Read who are the ‘experts’

Anurag
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India rejects comments of UN Experts on Manipur, calling them unwarranted, presumptive and misleading. Read who are the ‘experts’

On 4th September (local time), the Permanent Mission of India at the United Nations strongly rejected comments by UN experts on Manipur. India has termed them “unwarranted, presumptive and misleading” while adding that the situation in the state is peaceful.

The statement by India came as a verbal note to the Special Procedures Branch of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Indian mission noted in its response that the situation in Manipur was peaceful and stable. Furthermore, the mission added that the Government of India was committed to taking the required steps to maintain peace and stability in the state.

The Permanent Mission of India to the UN office and other International Organizations in Geneva said, “The Permanent Mission of India completely rejects the news release as it is not only unwarranted, presumptive and misleading but also betrays a complete lack of understanding on the situation in Manipur and the steps taken by Government of India to address it.”

“The Government is also committed to protecting the human rights of the people of India, including the people of Manipur,” it added.

The remarks came in response to the press release by the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner on 4th September, stating that UN Experts were “alarmed” by “continuing abuses in Manipur.

The UN experts raised the alarm over “alleged acts of sexual violence, extrajudicial killings, home destruction, forced displacement, torture and ill-treatment”. They claimed that most of the persons killed in the conflict were Kukis and pointed out that Meiteis are predominantly Hindus and Kukis are predominantly Christians, forming a divide between the communities based on religion. Furthermore, the experts claimed that most of the gender-based violence targeting women and girls of all ages was against the Kuki community.

“It is particularly concerning that the violence seems to have been preceded and incited by hateful and inflammatory speech that spread online and offline to justify the atrocities committed against the Kuki ethnic minority, particularly women, on account of their ethnicity and religious belief,” they said.

They accused the Government of India of a “slow and inadequate” response to the violence. Furthermore, the experts “praised” the lawyers and human rights defenders in Manipur for responding to the reports of violence. “We are also concerned about reported criminalization and harassment of human rights defenders documenting the cases,” they said.

Questionable past of the “experts”

Irene Khan

Irene Khan hails from Bangladesh. She has been a regular critic of India and has often tried to interfere in India’s internal matters using her position on International platforms. According to the official profile of Irene Khan on UNCHR, she was Secretary-General of Amnesty International from 2001 to 2009. Interestingly, Khan had to leave the organization in 2009 after she was accused of receiving over USD 700,000 from the organization. Under her leadership, Amnesty faced criticism for supporting Moazzam Begg, the former Guantanamo detainee and its links to Islamist groups. In 2022, she came out in support of a dubious journalist who is under ED’s scanner for alleged fraud done while raising funds for Covid relief work, Rana Ayyub.

Amnesty International is a dubious organization that has indulged in anti-India activities for a long time. Despite the non-issuance of FCRA licenses for its Indian chapter, the organization kept receiving foreign funds in India. After strict action from the Indian government in 2020, when ED froze its accounts, the organization closed its Indian chapter.

She was also director-general of the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), as mentioned by another Twitter user, Sagorika. Her profile on UN suggests she was part of IDLO from 2012 to 2019. China is a major contributor to IDLO and has been part of the collective since 1989. 2017 IDLO and China signed a memorandum on the “One Belt One Road” initiative.

Another aspect of Irene’s connection to China is that the Chinese govt was behind her appointment at the UN. In 2020, a China-led panel appointed her as the world monitor of free speech. UN Watch categorically mentioned in a report that Khan enjoys close ties with the Communist regime.

Fionnuala Ní Aoláin

According to her resume which can be seen here, Fionnuala Ní Aoláin was a member of the Women’s Program Board, Open Society Foundation owned by George Soros in 2018. Earlier, she was Chair, the Women’s Program Board, Open Society Foundation, with an Annual Budget of around $7,000,000 between 2011 and 2018. She received the Open Society Foundations Grant on Emergency Powers (Co-I) in 2020-21. George Soros is known for his anti-India and anti-Hindu views. Our detailed coverage of Soros can be seen here.

Balakrishnan Rajagopal

Rajagopal was an Open Society Foundation fellow. The year of his fellowship at the foundation was not mentioned.

Source: Open Society Foundation

Nazila Ghanea

According to her profile at Kellog University, her research on different topics was funded by the likes of Qatar Foundation and Open Society Institute. For those who are unaware, George Soros’s Open Society Foundation was previously called the Open Society Institute.

Source: Kellog University

Morris Tidball-Binz

He was director of regional and global human rights program for Amnesty International (UK) between 1990 and 2003. Notably, Amnesty International has a history of bias against India. Our detailed reports on Amnesty can be seen here. Furthermore, he is one of the UN experts who called for immediate release of Khurram Pervez who NIA arrested in a terror funding case.

Mary Lawlor

Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders at the United Nations, is the co-author of the anti-India rant on the investigation against Rana Ayyub. Lawlor is also linked to Amnesty International. She was director of the Irish chapter of the organisation from 1988 to 2000. Alongside, Irene, she also came out in support of Ayyub.

Lawlor had repeatedly targeted India for arresting Bhima-Koregaon violence accused Stan Swamy, who died of old age-related illness in 2021. She had said his death would “forever remain a stain on India’s human rights record.”

She had been meddling in India’s internal matters and tried her best to paint a negative picture of India on the international platform in Swamy’s case. However, she conveniently ignored that the Indian security agencies had found evidence against Swamy and the court had found these allegations legitimate multiple times to refuse bail. There were allegations that Indian authorities did not provide medical assistance to Swamy, but contrary to the allegations, he was provided with the best possible medical care.

She also raised objections over the arrest of Kashmiri separatist activist Khurram Parvez, whom the investigating agencies arrested in a terror funding case. NIA had arrested Parvez in November 2021 on the charges of terror funding. He was booked under Sections 17 (raising funds for the terrorist act), 18 (conspiracy), 18B (recruiting of any person or persons for the terrorist act), 38 (offence relating to membership of a terrorist organisation), and 40 (raising funds for a terrorist organisation) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

On February 22, a Delhi court sent him and two others to NIA custody on February 25 for interrogation linked to the arrest of former IPS officer Arvind Digvijay Negi in connection to sending sensitive documents to the terrorist organisation LeT.

Fernand de Varennes

Fernand de Varennes has a long history of meddling in India’s internal affairs. In May 2023, he said in a tweet that holding a G20 meeting in Kashmir would be a massive human rights violation.

Most of the so-called experts in the list have come out in support of terror suspects, Naxalites, farmer protests and other anti-India activities from time to time.

‘Who knows when it was born?’: Karnataka HM G Parameshwara makes controversial remarks on Hinduism

OpIndia Staff
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‘Who knows when it was born?’: Karnataka HM G Parameshwara makes controversial remarks on Hinduism

After DMK’s Udhaynidhi Stalin, another politician of the I.N.D.I. alliance made a controversial remark on Hinduism. Karnataka Home Minister Parameshwara recently questioned the origins of Hinduism, asserting that nobody knows when it originated in the country.

“There are many religions born. Hindu dharma – When was it born? What are its origins, has remained a question mark. It still has not been answered. Buddhism was born in India. Jainism was born in India. Islam and Christianity came from abroad. The sum up of all these (religions) is betterment of society,” Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said at an event in Tumakuru.

Parameshwara’s controversial remarks elicited a sharp reaction from the BJP, which attacked the Congress party for its historical contempt towards Hinduism. “Congress party is always busy making derogatory comments against the majority community,” S Prakash, Joint Spokesperson of Karnataka BJP, said. The VHP, too, expressed its disapproval of Parameshwara’s remarks against Hinduism. Vinod Bansal, a VHP leader, said, “It is surprising that a person with the name Parameshwara is questioning the origins of Hinduism.”

Udhaynidhi Stalin says ‘Sanatan Dharma needs to be eradicated’

On Saturday (September 2), the Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development of Tamil Nadu, Udhaynidhi Stalin, said, “Mosquitoes, dengue, flu, malaria, corona – we should not oppose these things. They’ve to be eradicated completely.”

“The same is the case with Santanam (Hinduism). Our first work should be to abolish/eradicate Sanatanam instead of opposing it. So, my appreciation to you all for giving an apt title to the meeting,” he further added. 

Congress questioned the existence of Lord Rama

This is not the first time that Congress has raised aspersions on Hinduism and its concepts. In 2007, an affidavit filed by the Congress-led government read, “Valmiki Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas admittedly form an important part of ancient Indian literature, but these cannot be said to be historical records to incontrovertibly prove the existence of the characters and occurrences of events depicted therein.” The affidavit was filed to register the UPA government’s opposition to the demand to scrap the Sethusamudram project as it would damage the Ram Setu. 

Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal fought the Ram Janmabhoomi case for the Sunni Waqf Board opposing the building of a magnificent Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya. He also employed dilatory tactics and asked the apex court to delay the decision in the Ram Janmabhoomi case till the 2019 elections.  Another eminent Congress leader Shashi Tharoor had earlier claimed that no ‘good Hindu’ would want a Ram Mandir at the Babri site. Tharoor urged that one should have the Ram Mandir in one’s heart. 

DMK workers burn effigy of Ayodhya Seer Paramhans Acharya for announcing bounty on Udhayanidhi Stalin over his ‘eradicate Sanatan’ remark

OpIndia Staff
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DMK workers burn effigy of Ayodhya Seer Paramhans Acharya for announcing bounty on Udhayanidhi Stalin over his ‘eradicate Sanatan’ remark

Udhayanidhi Stalin’s insulting statements against Sanatana Dharma have sparked outrage amongst Hindus. But now, events seem to be taking a more sinister political turn, thanks to the DMK Minister.

Ayodhya-based seer Paramhans Acharya’s effigy was burned by DMK cadre in Vellore on 5th September after the seer announced a bounty of Rs 10 crore for Udhayanidhi Stalin’s head.

The DMK protests in Gudiyattam were led by DMK town president and municipal chairman S Soundarrajan who lodged a complaint with the police seeking action against the seer.

An effigy of the seer was also hanged by the DMK cadre in the Kondasamudram area. Similar demonstrations were staged in Pernambut town wherein a complaint was submitted by DMK workers reportedly accompanied by a “sizeable number of Muslim followers.”

On 4th September, Ayodhya seer Paramhans Acharya said, “I will pay Rs 10 crore cash reward to anyone who beheads Stalin and brings his head to me. If no one dares to kill Stalin, I will myself find him and kill him.”

This was in response to Udhayanidhi Stalin’s controversial statement likening Sanatana Dharma to malaria, dengue, cholera, and COVID-19. Responding to the seer, Udhayanidhi showed no remorse for hurting Hindu sentiments and said that he is not afraid of such statements.

The BJP has called out the DMK for sparking a North-South divide. Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai tweeted a video of DMK leader Constantine Ravindran wherein he is heard saying that “no one is education in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar because of Sanatana Dharma”. “They are brainless. They don’t have rational thinking about life,” said the DMK spokesperson.

Calling out the DMK, Annamalai said that DMK has been seeding the thought of divide in the minds of Tamil brothers and sisters, and despite recent attacks on migrant workers in TN, DMK seems to have not learned the lesson.

Udhayanidhi Stalin, who identifies as a Christian, has incited not only religious but also regional divide, a traditional strategy in Dravidian politics. It is only natural that the Nehru-Gandhi Congress has lent support to Udhayanidhi’s Hindu-hating statements but has surely put the I.N.D.I.alliance in a tough spot what with DMK leaders now coming out with statements against North Indian states.

Mazars built inside private Hindu properties in Rishikesh: Local activists now demolishing them with consent and permission from land owners

राहुल पाण्डेय
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Mazars built inside private Hindu properties in Rishikesh: Local activists now demolishing them with consent and permission from land owners

Many videos of mazar demolitions in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, are going viral on social media these days. It has also been covered LIVE on some social media handles. Following the viral videos, some people from the Muslim community are demanding action from the administration in this regard.

Meanwhile, Swami Darshan Bharti from the Devbhoomi Raksha Abhiyaan has claimed responsibility for the said mazar demolition activities. OpIndia reached out to the people from the Devbhoomi Raksha Abhiyaan and described their actions as a struggle against a wider conspiracy while operating entirely within the ambits of the law.

Chandrabhushan Sharma, a local social worker, has taken the lead in the demolition action against alleged illegal mazars in Rishikesh and the neighboring areas. During a conversation with OpIndia on Tuesday, 5th September, 2023, he detailed the entire scenario stating that he launched this drive on August 26th of last month.

200 Mazars inside homes in Rishikesh and nearby areas

Chandrabhushan Sharma stated that while working in the area for a private company, he discovered around 200 tombs(mazars) have been erected inside private properties in and around Rishikesh. Ex-army officers, business owners, and even Hindu temple priests had these built inside their premises. Some Mazars were restricted to private access by people who had them built, but many others gradually became public. Annual Urs events were being celebrated in many of them by playing Qawwali and other traditional Islamic music, and visitors had begun to offer Namaz.

Giving an example of such priests of the temple, Sharma took the name of the priest of Mansa Devi Temple, Rishikesh, inside whose property a Mazar was built about 10 years ago. It has been alleged that it was promoted by priests under the name Pir Baba-Shiv Baba. According to Chandra Bhushan Sharma, the priest ultimately consented to allow the dismantling of the said Mazar after resisting it initially. He stated that an ex-soldier had constructed a mazar on such a large plot of land along the highway where at least three shops could have been opened.

Tentacles of illegal Mazars spread around Rishikesh

Several Mazars were demolished between August 27 and September 3 in Rishikesh’s Amit Gram, Mansa Devi Ward, and Suman Vihar areas. According to Chandrabhushan Sharma, this movement will continue until Rishikesh turns “illegal mazar Mukt” (free of illegal mazars). He further stated that this work is being done with personal funds as well as public assistance and that no one is informed about the next action beforehand. Anil Kumar of Rishikesh, who describes himself as an active participant in this movement, also spoke about legally removing unauthorized, illegal mazars. We have been informed that the menace of illegal mazars within private properties is spread across Rishikesh and around five kilometers of the nearby areas.

Image sent by Anil Kumar

Dargah at the heart of the conspiracy

According to Chandrabhushan Sharma, those who visit dargahs over small issues are advised by the conspirators to construct their own mazars at home. Chandrabhushan specifically mentioned one Piran Kaliyar of Roorkee in this context. He claims that such persons not only provide masons to build shrines at home but also Islamic attire, including skull caps etc. Sharma claims that the people there additionally provided training for worship and other related aspects.

Anil Sharma told OpIndia that several ex-soldiers, business owners etc. were performing Islamic rituals at the mazars erected inside their properties as trained by the people at the Dargahs.

No demolition is undertaken without prior consent and written permission

We questioned Chandrabhushan Sharma if the police were acting against him for dismantling the alleged illegal mazars. Sharma, in response, stated that he obtained formal approval and consent for this action from the landlords who had the mazars built in their premises at the recommendation of others. Sharma further stated that before beginning his campaign to free Rishikesh from illegal mazars, he thoroughly evaluated all legal aspects.

One of the consent letter

Anil Kumar, another person involved in the campaign to demolish the illegally erected mazars in houses, stated that he had obtained approval and consent from the landowners for this. Anil Kumar also provided us with such consent letters. Permission is granted in this consent form to remove the mazars from one’s home voluntarily and out of obedience to the Hindu Dharma. In addition, it was proclaimed that such an act would not be repeated in the future, that no one would ever go to court, and so on. As seen in the image attached above, the consent letter begins with the chant ‘Om Shri Ganeshaya Namah’.

Converted Hindus behind the conspiracy

According to Chandrabhushan Sharma, an unlawful mazar network has been expanding in Rishikesh for the past 30 years. Some of the mazars demolished last week were almost two decades old. He did, however, claim that mazars had been built arbitrarily over the last five to six years. According to Chandrabhushan, many newly converted Hindus who accepted Islam are involved in the illegal mazar construction nexus.

On the condition of anonymity, Sharma mentioned a person who was formerly a Hindu but now practises Islam. Sharma claims that the person is very wealthy and has hired bouncers. The said person is working to convert people to Islam by denigrating Hindu deities.

Chandrabhushan Sharma declined to reveal the names of his other campaign associates. He also announced that the campaign will be accelerated in the near future and urged people to raise awareness about the same.

‘Wife of a Hindu man who built a mazar inside his property became the victim of Love Jihad’

OpIndia spoke with Swami Darshan Bharti, patron of the Devbhoomi Raksha Abhiyan, concerning the mazar issue. Swami Darshan Bharti informed us that a Love Jihad incident occurred at a residence in Rishikesh’s Amit Gram area, where most mazars are erected inside private properties. Darshan Bharti, requesting anonymity for the concerned family, stated that some fifteen years ago, a Hindu family built a mazar inside their house premises. While the husband continued to pray, the wife eloped with a Muslim. Swami estimates that this incident occurred roughly five years ago.

Illegal Mazars and the administration’s incompetence

Swami Darshan Bharti told us that he had already spoken with the administration about taking action against the illegally mushrooming mazars on his own initiative. He argued that the administration had demonstrated its inability to act by claiming that the Mazars were built willingly inside private properties. He described the organization’s campaign as lawful and as a last resort. He also called it a dangerous conspiracy and said that the locals have been turned against their own. 

Swami Darshan Bharti claimed the saints’ dread of Muslims as the cause for surreptitiously mushrooming mazars in the spiritual city of Rishikesh. He described this fear as a compulsion for many people and urged them to join the anti-illegal mazar movement.

Jharkhand: Protests erupt over Udhayanidhi Stalin’s ‘Sanatana Dharma needs to be eradicated’ comment, bamboo stick inserted in DMK leader’s effigy

OpIndia Staff
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Jharkhand: Protests erupt over Udhayanidhi Stalin’s ‘Sanatana Dharma needs to be eradicated’ comment, bamboo stick inserted in DMK leader’s effigy

A group of Hindu youth in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, took out a protest march against Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin for his remarks insulting the Sanatana Dharma. The demonstration was led by a Hindu activist named Aman who opposed Stalin’s statement in his own unique style.

The Hindu activist is known to organise unique demonstrations. In the protest march, demonstrators rallied with an effigy of Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin’s son and inserted a bamboo inside it saying that those who insult Sanatana Dharma will meet the same fate.

Aman, leading the protest said, “If you insult Sanatana Dharma, then you will be bambooed and put up at the intersection like this effigy. If you make fun of Sanatana Dharma, then you will be bambooed and displayed on the streets.”

Moreover, a man wearing Udhayanidhi Stalin’s mask was taken out of a car designed like a helicopter and was made to march with handcuffs. The man masked as Udhayanidhi was also garlanded with chappals (footwear). The protesters even beat up Udhayanidhi Stalin’s masked mannequin with slippers and shoes.

Source: Insiderlive.in

Aman added that those who hurt Sanatana Dharma will bear the brunt for it. He said that his effort has always been to unite Hindus and that he will oppose every voice raised against Sanatana Dharma. He has demanded action against such people.

Moreover, Hindu Rashtra Sangh’s Jharkhand state chief Shashi Bhushan Keshari said that for crores of years, the destructors of Sanatana have themselves been destructed. He demanded strict action against Udhayanidhi Stalin.

“Sanatana Dharma has always given refuge and security to every community from across the world which has suffered hardships; be it Christian, Jew, or Parsi. Those who have lost connect with their native land, too, have flourished in the shelter provided by Sanatana Dharma,” he said.

Keshari added that Islam too has flourished in India. “Supreme court has believes that Sanatana Hindu Dharma is the way of life. But some intellectuals still have doubts. And they keep making a ruckus with their statements on Sanatana Dharma. Action should be initiated against such people.

Udhaynidhi Stalin’s hateful, and blatantly Hinduphobic remarks have triggered widespread condemnation from political as well as non-political quarters. On 2nd September, the DMK leader and TN minister had equated the Sanatana Dharma with infectious diseases like Dengue, and Malaria and had called for its eradication. He stated that the Sanatana Dharma, the belief system of the majority of Indian citizens, needs to be uprooted.

The blatantly Hinduphobic remarks have so far elicited strong responses from politicians and Hindu leaders, as well as the general public. It has also raised questions on the intents and strategies of the I.N.D.I.A bloc, where DMK is a key partner.

Congress came out in support of Udhayanidhi saying that “every political party has the freedom to tell their views”. Addressing a press briefing, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said that Congress believes in the ideology of “Sarva Dharma Samabhava”.

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge too supported the vitriolic statements of his alliance partner. Speaking to the media personnel, the Congress leader said, “Any religion that does not promote equality or does not ensure you have the dignity of being human is not religion, according to me. Any religion that does not give equal rights or does not treat you like humans is as good as disease.”

On Tuesday (5th September), 262 eminent citizens, including retired Justices, armed force veterans, former ambassadors, and bureaucrats wrote a letter to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY ChandraChud regarding Udhayanidhi Stalin’s ]remarks.

In the letter, these eminent citizens have requested the CJI to take the suo moto cognisance of hate speech by the son of Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin. The letter states that his speech could incite communal disharmony and sectarian violence in the country.

PIB debunks CNN’s fake news claiming slum demolition in Delhi prompted by G20 Summit, says encroachment removed as per SC orders

OpIndia Staff
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PIB debunks CNN’s fake news claiming slum demolition in Delhi prompted by G20 Summit, says encroachment removed as per SC orders

On Wednesday, 6th September 2023, the Press Information Bureau bunked the claims made by a CNN report which said that the government authorities in Delhi have left thousands of people in the city homeless after the demolition drive executed in the capital days before the G20 Summit. PIB has said that the encroachment removal drives in Delhi are in compliance with orders passed by the Supreme Court.

PIB also added that the eviction is not linked with the G20 Summit and the place where it is happening is not near the summit meeting venue.

In a post on social media platform X, PIB wrote, “CNN has made misleading claims regarding clearing encroachments in Delhi ahead of G20 Summit. Removal of encroachments is in compliance with orders passed by the Supreme Court. Demolition of structures at Tughlaqabad is unrelated to G20 & not near the venue.”

On 5th September 2023, CNN published a report by Rhea Mogul, Vedika Sud, and Sania Farooqui. The report is titled, “India, advocate for the global poor, clears slums as G20 draw near”. The report claims that the encroachment removal drive in Delhi is being executed in order to make the capital city presentable in front of foreign guests attending the upcoming G20 summit.

The CNN report claimed that “tens of thousands of New Delhi’s most marginalized residents have been evicted from their homes in the lead up to the G20 meeting, as authorities embark on a mass demolition drive in neighbourhoods across the city”. It adds that slums near Pragati Maidan – the venue of the G20 Summit – are also being removed.

While it is true that a small number of illegal houses were demolished near Pragati Maidan as per High Court orders, it was around 50 houses and no tens of thousands of residents. The bulk of the evictions are taking place around 15-20 km to the south, where a significant number of areas of encroached land have been recovered by demolishing illegal houses.

On August 26, 2023, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) undertook the demolition of approximately 150 houses situated in an illegally occupied slum within Badarpur village. Over the past year, similar demolition operations have been conducted in various other locations, including Tughlaqabad, Vishwas Nagar, Zakir Nagar, and Sanjay Gandhi camp. These areas are near the Delhi-Haryana border, far away from Lutyens Delhi where the G20 summit meeting is taking place.

The G20 Summit is held annually under a rotating presidency, which currently rests with India for 2023. The group does not have a permanent secretariat and is supported by the previous, current, and future holders of the presidency, known as the troika. In 2023, the troika consists of Indonesia, Brazil, and India. Indonesia President Joko Widodo handed over the G20 Presidency to India at the closing ceremony of the 17th intergovernmental summit in Bali in November 2022.

India officially assumed the G20 presidency on December 1, 2022, and since then it has been hosting meetings in cities including Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Guwahati, Indore, Jodhpur, Khajuraho, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Pune, Rann of Kutch, Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, and Udaipur.

The New Delhi G20 Summit, which will bring an end to a series of meetings over the course of the year, is going to be held in New Delhi on 9-10 September this year. The 43 Heads of Delegations- the largest ever in G20-will be participating in the final G20 Summit.

‘It is a different world, different India, different PM’: Dr Jaishankar explains how the new India made a difference in G20

ANI
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‘It is a different world, different India, different PM’: Dr Jaishankar explains how the new India made a difference in G20

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India’s changed attitude at international fora, a reason for India finding its place at the high table of diplomacy. 

In an interview with ANI, Jaishankar said, “It is a different world, a different India. It is a different Prime Minister. It is a different government. And that is why you have all that you haven’t seen in the past.” 

Speaking on India taking up the voice of the Global South to G20, the minister said that no other presidency had aimed at getting developing countries together. 

“No other G-20 presidency has tried to get together developing countries who are not on the table and say–please come, sit with us, tell us what are your concerns. And we will distil those concerns and place them before the G-20. That is a unique exercise,” the foreign affairs minister said. 

Jaishankar said that India has a special responsibility in this changing world scenario. “I see it more for India as a responsibility, that we have the responsibility today in a very difficult world. How do you bring people together? How do you make everybody understand that we all have a bigger responsibility and therefore please, can we kind of get our act together here and do what is right by the world,” he said. 

The External Affairs minister said he hoped that the G20 nations would understand their responsibilities to other countries. 
“India has a reputation of being a constructive player. Someone who bridges, divides, who kind of somewhere helps to fix problems. I am confident that every one of the G20 coming to Delhi will understand the responsibility that they bear. That the other 180 countries of the world are looking to them to set directions and that they cannot afford to fail them,” he said.

The minister said that the participation of every citizen of the country in some way in the summit was assuring.

“One of the big pluses of the G20 is really how much more interested the people of India, especially the young people of India have got foreign policy and they need it because look, this is a globalized era,” he said. 

Asked about the possibility of the G20 summit being overshadowed by the presence of the American President, the minister assured that everything would go smoothly.

“We are India. We know how to handle the world. Believe me, especially in the last ten years we have shown how we can handle the world,” Jaishankar said.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

‘4.2 million pounds of your tax money, wasted’: Russian Embassy trolls British people with image of a destroyed Challenger 2 tank in Ukraine

OpIndia Staff
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‘4.2 million pounds of your tax money, wasted’: Russian Embassy trolls British people with image of a destroyed Challenger 2 tank in Ukraine

On Monday, 4th September 2023, Russian forces engaged in the southern region of Ukraine claimed to have destroyed a British-supplied Challenger 2 tank. A video showing the tank’s smoldering wreckage went viral on social media. On Tuesday, 5th September 2023, the Russian Embassy in the UK shared a picture of the destroyed tank from its X handle and wrote in the caption “Wasted”.

The picture posted by the Russian Embassy also mentioned that the destruction of the Challenger 2 tank – a heavily armored, highly mobile tank, designed to engage and destroy other tanks, and fitted with a rifled gun – has cost the British taxpayers 4.2 million pounds.

Challenger 2 is a third-generation British Main Battle Tank (MBT). it is currently in service with the armed forces of UK, Oman and Ukraine (supplied by the UK).

With the image of the destroyed tank, believed to be very expensive and advanced, the Russian Embassy tried to remind the British citizens that while they struggle for basic healthcare and energy supplies, their tax money is being spent on a ‘futile’ attempt to fight against Russian forces on foreign soil.

During the ongoing war with Russian forces, a British-supplied tank provided to Ukraine was destroyed. This marks a significant event, likely the first time a Challenger 2 tank has been destroyed due to enemy action. The previous known instance of such a heavily armored battle vehicle being destroyed was believed to have occurred due to a friendly fire in Iraq back in 2003. A video circulating on the internet depicts the charred remains of the tank.

Widely shared footage on social media displays one of the 14 tanks provided by the UK to Kyiv in January, situated at the roadside with thick grey smoke billowing from it and flames erupting. The exact cause of the tank’s destruction was not confirmed by Ukrainian forces, but it is known that the Ukrainian crew within the tank survived the attack. However, there have been different claims about the mode of destruction of this tank.

According to a report by BBC, the British-made and supplied Challenger 2 tank in Ukraine was initially rendered immobile due to a mine explosion. This explosion ignited a fire in the rear fuel tank, prompting the Ukrainian crew of four to safely evacuate the tank. Subsequently, while the now-empty tank remained immobilized, it became a target for a Russian Lancet loitering drone, which ultimately destroyed it.

Vladimir Rogov, a Russian-appointed official overseeing part of the southern Zaporizhzhia region currently under Moscow’s control, posted on Telegram that a Challenger 2 tank had been engulfed in flames during combat near the southeastern village of Robotyne. According to Rogov, this tank was originally intended for deployment to Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. However, it was instead destroyed on what he described as the foremost line of Russia’s defence. He posted a video on Telegram depicting a tank seemingly on fire on a roadside, with thick grey smoke billowing from the scene.

In January 2023, the UK provided Ukraine with 14 Challenger 2 tanks. These tanks, constructed in the late 1990s, remain among Ukraine’s most contemporary and proficient tank assets, alongside the German-made Leopard 2 tanks. Ukrainian tank crews underwent training to operate them in March. The provision of Challenger 2 tanks constitutes a component of the UK’s £28 million support package, which was announced at the beginning of the year.

So far, the UK has extended military support worth £4.6 billion to Ukraine. Out of this, military aid worth £2.3 billion was provided in 2022. Russia has now reminded the UK taxpayers about the costs born by them because of NATO’s support of Ukraine against Russia.

Malaysia Hindu Sangam condemns Udayanidhi Stalin’s hatred against Sanatana Dharma, writes to the High Commission of India requesting Indian Government to act

OpIndia Staff
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Malaysia Hindu Sangam condemns Udayanidhi Stalin’s hatred against Sanatana Dharma, writes to the High Commission of India requesting Indian Government to act

On 4th September, Malaysia Hindu Sangam wrote a letter of condemnation to the speech of Udayanidhi Stalin where he called Sanatan Dharma dengue, malaria, and corona while calling for its eradication. In the letter addressed to the High Commission of India, Malaysia Hindu Sangam expressed strong disagreement and condemnation of the speech given by Stalin during the Sanathana Prevention Conference.

The organization said that, by comparing Sanatan Dharma to mosquitoes, dengue, malaria and corona and calling for its ‘eradication’, Stalin called for genocide against the followers of the ancient Dharma.

“It was such degrading speech a Minister could utter against a religion which majority people in India practice,” the statement read. The organization reminded Stalin of his duties as a Minister. The statement read, “As a Minister, he should be Non-Aligned to any belief and serve his duty with impartiality and neutral approach though his party’s ideology seems to be otherwise. This has indirectly raised hatred and anger among Hindus around the world.”

The organization said Stalin’s statement might stir disharmony among the Hindu Community and Hindus from different ethnicities in Malaysia. They further urged the Government of India to take stern action against Stalin for the speech.

Udhayanidhi wants to ‘eradicate’ Sanatan Dharma

On 2nd September, the Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development of Tamil Nadu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, went on a tirade against Sanatan Dharma on social media.

The development came hours after he courted controversy for comparing the Hindu civilizational, religious philosophy with ‘malaria’ and ‘dengue.’ In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Udhayanidhi Stalin wrote, “Sanatan Dharma is a principle that divides people in the name of caste and religion.”

“Uprooting Sanatan Dharma is upholding humanity and human equality…I spoke on behalf of the oppressed & marginalized who suffer from the Sanatan Dharma,” he said.

The son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin hailed the likes of Periyar and BR Ambedkar. He claimed that the duo conducted ‘in-depth research’ on the ‘negative impact’ of the religious philosophy on society.

“Let me reiterate the crucial aspect of my speech: I believe, like the spread of diseases like COVID-19, Dengue, and Malaria by mosquitoes, that Sanatan Dharma is responsible for many social evils,” he further emphasized.

As I.N.D.I.A. bloc outrages over speculative reports of ‘renaming’ India as Bharat, here is what their alliance partner Samajwadi Party promised in its manifesto

OpIndia Staff
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As I.N.D.I.A. bloc outrages over speculative reports of ‘renaming’ India as Bharat, here is what their alliance partner Samajwadi Party promised in its manifesto

The speculative report claiming that the Union government could ‘rename’ India as Bharat in the special session of Parliament has left the opposition in a tizzy. 

The majority of the I.N.D.I. alliance partners have lamented over the supposed move and even termed it an act of ‘betrayal’ of the nation. 

Interestingly, AAP, Congress, RJD, and DMK among others have linked the yet-to-be-confirmed move with their alliance name.  

The I.N.D.I.A. bloc, which is ironically yet to decide on a common leader or even a seat-sharing formula, claimed that their supposed ‘unity’ has rattled the incumbent government and the government is drafting laws or making efforts solely after taking their alliance into consideration. 

While their meltdown is out in the open and their ecosystem is shedding copious amounts of tears, one alliance partner has conspicuously maintained an ambiguous stand. In fact, the left-out alliance partner of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc had in the past vowed to change India’s name to Bharat if elected to power. Apparently, the alliance partner in question is the Samajwadi Party on whose shoulders the majority weight of the alliance rests. 

Evidently, the prominent handles of the Samajwadi Party including their IT cell have maintained a distance from this politically significant issue that has stormed their alliance partners. Instead, the entire focus has been diverted to Ghosi by-polls.

Will correct the ‘flaw’ in the constitution: SP manifesto

Remarkably, the Samajwadi Party-led by Mulayam Singh Yadav, the erstwhile party Chief and Father of Former CM and current party Chief Akhilesh Yadav had promised in their 2004 manifesto that if they were voted to power, they would change the name of the country from India to Bharat. 

The manifesto said, “We demand that to protect the dignity and self-esteem of the country, India should become Bharat. Our country has long been known as Bharat. But during the 200 years rule of the British Raj, the name was altered and made India.” 

In its 16-page manifesto published in Hindi, released by Mulayam Singh Yadav in April 2004, SP claimed that calling the country ‘India’ was “a serious flaw” in the Indian Constitution. It promised that if the party comes to power at the centre will rectify this flaw in a speedy manner. 

The Samajwadi Party added, “God knows how the Constitution-makers mentioned India first and kept repeating it. It was only later that it said, ‘India that is Bharat’.”

Stating that the party will amend the constitution for the same, the manifesto further stated, “The party feels that changing the name was wrong and, as soon as we come to power, we will amend the constitution and, after consultations, change the name of India to Bharat.” 

However, it is to be maintained that there is no official confirmation that the reports will actually materialize or not but if things persist, the efforts of SP to bid their time on this issue could lead to another political scuffle between the so-called alliance partners in I.N.D.I.A. bloc.   

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